And bigger things, like switching to solar energy, keeping cool with tree shade and awnings instead of air conditioners, and investing in a hybrid car (if you even need one).

The idea is to live in harmony with the Earth, in natural beauty and balance, respectful of our symbiotic relationship with the cycles of nature.

Respect the Earth

Did you know that the word Earth ("ard") appears
485 times in the Holy Qur'an?

Mankind has been given the use of the Earth as a sacred trust. We have a responsibility to use it wisely.

To save the planet and ourselves, we need to become more aware of our actions and their consequences on the Earth. We need to adopt as many sustainable solutions as possible in our daily lives.

History of Sustainable Living

Rachel Carson in the video below gives an eloquent definition of sustainable living.

One of the earliest books that specifically addressed the issue of sustainable living was Walden: Or, Life in the Woods published by Henry David Thoreau in 1854. Thoreau called for Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! and for self-honesty and harmony with nature.

The modern-day sustainable living movement began with the publication of Living the Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing. The Nearings’ story of how they left the city life and turned to simple farming kicked off a back-to-the-land movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Another major milestone for the sustainability movement came in 1962 with the publication of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, who single-handedly took on the pesticide industry.

Other key books include:

• The Limits to Growth by Donella Meadows, a 1972 study of long-term global trends in population, economics and the environment that sold millions of copies and was translated into 28 languages

• Small is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher, a collection of essays on the appropriate use of technology, still as relevant today as when first published in 1973